What economic and/or business impact do you see in the proposed Singapore-Kuala Lumpur high-speed rail?

THE proposed Singapore-KL high-speed rail is certainly a welcome and exciting development. With a projected travel time of only 90 minutes between the two cities, the high-speed rail presents an attractive time and cost-saving alternative to the existing road and air travel options. As both leisure and business travel becomes more accessible, it is likely to stimulate economic growth and business activity between the two countries. Residents of both cities would be able to easily hop on the train for “makan” and shopping sessions at the respective destinations while it becomes cheaper and faster for companies of both countries to send business representatives across the Causeway.

Overall, it is a win-win for both countries, though the business of low-cost carriers and buses that ply the same route is likely to be affected. That said, these companies still have several more years to restrategise and reconfigure their business models.